Even Mets fans can't deny what Juan Soto said about Yankees at World Baseball Classic

Although New York Yankees fans have moved on from Juan Soto's departure after the 2024 season — his only in pinstripes — Mets fans are still taking time out of their day to remind them that Soto plays in Queens now. Essentially, those trying to stir the pot are only talking to themselves, and their social media posts are losing impressions by the minute.

That said, Yankees fans would also be lying if they didn't have fond thoughts about Soto from time to time. The one year he tag-teamed with Aaron Judge was electrifying, and it's no coincidence it resulted in New York's first World Series appearance since 2009.

It ended in disaster, but up until Game 1 of the World Series when manager Aaron Boone prematurely took Gerrit Cole out of the game after just 88 pitches, Yankees fans were very much enjoying themselves and dreaming of a long-term tandem of Judge and Soto in the middle of the lineup.

It's also possible Soto felt that in some way. Remember his return to Yankee Stadium when he was expecting an ovation from fans, but instead they all turned their backs on him and showered him with boos when he stepped up to the plate? It was obvious he wasn't ready for that based on his reaction. That didn't deter him from posting a graphic that displayed his dominance alongside Judge from 2024 not too long ago.

And then you have the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where he's referencing the 2024 Yankees in a postgame interview after the Dominican Republic notched another dominant win as they look to be the last ones standing in the tournament.

Juan Soto mentioning 2024 Yankees during WBC interview shows lasting Aaron Judge impression

There's nothing like playing with your brothers from your home country ... unless it's the 2019 World Series-winning Nationals team (where Soto began his career and played for five years) or the 2024 AL Pennant-winning Yankees. He said it, we didn't!

It's a nice moment for Yankees fans to gloat, even though they know this isn't a direct shot at the Mets in any way. Soto's only been there for a year and the 2025 team witnessed an historic collapse that saw them miss the playoffs. Mets fans are well aware Soto has no reason to reference that dumpster fire in such an interview. They also have time on their side with Soto likely spending another 14 years in Queens. The story is far from finished and it's possible he and Francisco Lindor achieve the unthinkable if David Stearns can build a respectable roster around them.

But right now the Yankees are better than the Mets despite Soto defecting. They won 94 games in 2025 and brought back their roster as a number of top prospects/rookies are expected to take a leap to improve the Bombers' fortunes (at least we hope, though we wouldn't say it's the best recipe to avenge their embarrassing ALDS loss to the Blue Jays).

The Mets? They partially tore down their roster and got rid of a number of legacy players in an effort to put the franchise on a new path. Will it work? Who knows. Was it the right move? We don't know, but it was definitely a smart option to rid themselves of what plagued them in Soto's first year.

If it doesn't work? Expect some more signs from Soto that he misses the Bronx — the place that made his sojourn feel like home.